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KITTENS CORNER CAT BREEDER DIRECTORY
Cat Behaviour
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Cats are generally easy animals to live with, but when things go wrong, they can go very wrong. Establishing the reason for unwanted behaviour is usually the first step towards fixing it and restoring harmony in your household.
Causes of Behavior Issues
- Many behaviours considered to be a problem are actually completely normal when done in the wild (urine spraying, scratching etc) you may just need to provide your cat with an alternative, more acceptable outlet for its behaviour. Try to understand the way a cat behaves in the wild to help come up with a solution for the problem
- Sometimes a medical condition may be the cause of your cats behaviour issues. Contact your veterinarian if your cat has a sudden unexplained behaviour change.
- Stress & Anxiety can cause your cat to act out. Any unwelcome changes such as a new cat or new baby, even stress amongst family members, can cause your cat to become stressed which can then result in him or her displaying unwanted behaviour.
- Boredom can be the cause of problem behaviours. An indoor cat is more likely to exhibit problem behaviours because they lack natural outlets for instinctive behaviours.
What Can You Do To Help?
Spraying
It is not common for a cat to spray inside the home. If your cat is spraying in the house it is an indication that he is feeling unsafe or threatened in some way. This could be from the introduction of a new cat, painting/re-decorating, or a new piece of furniture, he could also feel threatened from seeing a rival cat through a window. The location your cat is spraying could help you identify the cause. If you can determine what is causing your cat to spray, take any necessary steps to help resolve the issue. If you have brought another cat into your home, areas where the two cats pass each other could be where your cat is spraying. You could help with this by positioning furniture or shelving to allow them to pass each other on different levels. If your cat is bothered by seeing another cat through a window, you could use semi transparent film to cover the glass. If your cat is spraying because of new furniture, clean the area thoroughly (Do not use ammonia based cleaners as this is a component of cat urine which will encourage more spraying) and spray it with a citrus scent, or try covering the floor with aluminum foil which your cat will not want to walk on. Another thing you could try is to move your cats food to the area it is spraying (after it has been cleaned) as your cat won't want to spray where his food is. If this doesnt work, it may help to isolate your cat in a safe room for several days, and slowly re-introduce him to the rest of your home.
Not Using the Litter Box
There are many reasons your cat may not be using its litter box. Cats are very sensitive to changes in their environment, so any changes that have been made to their littering routine may be the cause. Did you recently change the type of litter or litter box you use? Did you move the litter box location? Switching it back to the way it used to be may be helpful, try making the change more gradual next time. Sometimes a cat won't use the litter box if it is too dirty or if it doesnt have enough litter in it. If you have recently cleaned the litter box and you used a scented or strong smelling cleaner that could be the cause as well. Be sure to clean the area your cat is littering in thoroughly, and try covering the area with aluminum foil or double sided tape to discourage re-use. In a multi cat household, make sure you have enough litter boxes. You should have one litter box for each cat plus one more. If one cat is being bullied, this could be the cause of littering on the floor.
Scratching Furniture
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Cats scratch. It is a natural behavior. They scratch to sharpen their claws, as well as to mark their territory. There is no stopping a cat from scratching, thankfully, there are ways to stop them from scratching your furniture. You need to provide your cat with an alternative scratching post other than your furniture. Many different types are available. Be sure to buy one that is sturdy as a cat will not use a scratching post if it wobbles. Also, get one that is made out of sisal or another type of material your cat can dig its claws into, and high enough that it can stretch itself up to its full height. If you have a cat that has already chose a piece of your furniture as a scratching post, place your new scratching post close to the area your cat is scratching, covering the old area with double sided tape or aluminum foil which will discourage your cat from scratching it. Encourage your cat to use the new scratching post by rubbing catnip on it and praise the cat when it claws it. If it reverts to scratching the old area say no, gently but firmly and take it to the scratching post.
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Aggression Towards Other Cats
Cats that live together may not always get along. Usually things are resolved with a hiss or swipe of a paw, but occassionally a vicious fight can break out. Understanding why your cats are fighting is the best way to solve the problem. Unneutered males are the most likely to fight, as their main purpose in life is to pass on their genes to future generations. They will fight to maintain their position in the social hierarchy. Unspayed females will also fight to defend her territory. If you are not planning on breeding your cats, neutering and spaying is a good idea to help keep the fighting down. Territorial fights can break out between cats who have lived together peacefully if there is a break in the relationship (eg. if one cat has been to the vet) Cats can also fight from redirected aggression. If a cat sees a strange cat through the window it may become stressed and agitated and take it out on another cat in your home. If the other cat becomes fearful of the agressive cat, it may set it up for future attacks.
Dealing with Cat Fights If your cats are fighting, do not get between them, you will most likely be hurt. Try throwing a pillow between them, making a loud noise, or spraying them with water from a spray bottle. If they are fighting frequently you may have to seperate them and re-introduce them slowly as if you were getting a new cat.
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Tips to keep your multi-cat household happy
-Try to spend equal time with each cat
-Provide plenty of hiding places
-Provide cat perches of different heights
-Have enough litter boxes for each cat, plus one extra
-Have more than one place for food & water
-Neuter or Spay all cats
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Aggression Towards Humans
If a cat that is normally calm and well-behaved suddenly starts to scratch and bite, it may be sick, bored or frightened. The best way to solve the problem is to find out what is causing it in the first place.
Petting Aggression - Sometimes when cats are being pet they will attack you for no apparent reason. Pay close attention to when this is happening, it could be that your cat doesnt like being pet in a certain area (such as its stomach) or that the petting has gone on too long and your cat would like you to stop. Some cats even have certain times of day or areas of the home they prefer to be pet. Watch for signs your cat does not want to be pet such as flattening their ears, twitching their tail and tensing of your cats body.
Fear Aggression -
When a cat is affraid and feels it has no way to escape whatever it is that is frightening it, it may lash out. If this is the reason for your cats aggression, it is best to, if possible, just leave him alone until he calms down. Once calmed, approach your cat slowly and talk softly, allow your cat to come to you. Try to find out what it is that frightened your cat so that you can prevent this from happening. Some kittens who are not socialized properly when they are young can be fearful or nervous around people more so than one who was well socialized, be wary of this when choosing a new kitten.
Play Aggression - Cats are natural predatures, they enjoy sneaking, pouncing and attacking. They may dart out at unsuspecting ankles as they walk by, or swat at hands that move past them. Your kitten is most likely playing, and the best way to guard against this is to ensure your kitten has plenty of play time. If you see your cat waiting to strike out, try waving a cat wand in front of him as a distraction. If you are playing with your kitten and she becomes aggressive, stop the play time immediately until the kitten calms down again. If your cat is getting plenty of play and is still sneak-attacking as you walk by, try using a water spray bottle and spray him when he attacks. This will give a negative reaction to the sneak attack and should discourage the behaviour.
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